Thyroid disease induced by amiodarone

During the last few years, amiodarone has been used more and more in the treatment of tachyarrhythmias by not only cardiologists but also by general practitioners. The indisputable efficacy of this drug is, however, associated with frequent side effects which have been known to give rise in the elderly to thyroid disease and hyperthyroidism. The authors discuss the possible thyroidal pathogenetic mechanisms provoked by the drug with particular attention focussed on the different forms of thyrotoxicosis. The clinical picture, diagnosis and therapy, as well as the therapeutic approach to the different forms of thyrotoxicosisis caused by amiodarone are also described.